The association of race, socioeconomic status, and health insurance status with the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents.

Objectives: We examined the effect of race, socioeconomic status, and health insurance status on the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents.

Methods: We studied an observational cohort from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component.

Results: In the younger group, both Black and Latino children had a greater likelihood of being overweight compared with White children. Among the adolescent group, Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders were more likely to be overweight. Among adolescents, lacking health insurance and having public insurance were both positively associated with the prevalence of overweight. A relationship between insurance status and overweight was not observed for younger children.

Conclusions: There are substantial racial differences in the prevalence of overweight for children and adolescents. Health insurance status is associated with the prevalence of overweight among adolescents.